DAVID PAUL SWEENEY

October 25, 1944 - July 26, 2022

David Paul Sweeney passed away in the early hours of July 26, 2022 with family and his pastor, Jamie Lanza, by his side. He was born on October 25, 1944 in Sacramento, California to Frank and Evelyn Sweeney. David graduated from East High School in Bakersfield, California in 1962. David worked for Yellow Freight for over 30 years. He married Myrna Cheryl Mulkey on August 9, 1969, and they resided in the Valley their 53 years of marriage. They had one daughter, Natalie Judith Stevano, who lives in Linden, California, with her husband and children, and is a high school agriculture teacher. He was very proud of all of Natalie's accomplishments.

David loved all that Kern River Valley had to offer, especially all the outdoor activities; from hiking to camping. He and Myrna enjoyed the outdoors together. David was a respected motorcycle racer, who was recognized across many platforms of motorcycle racing.

David was preceded in death by his wife, Myrna, his parents, Frank and Evelyn Sweeney, and siblings, Diane, Judith, Daniel and Thomas. He is survived by his only child, Natalie Sweeney, her husband, John Stevano, grandsons, John David and Jase Burel, and many family and friends.

A private Graveside Service will be held August 20, 2022 at the Kern Valley Cemetery with Pastor Jamie Lanza presiding. In lieu of flowers, please send all donations in memory of David Paul Sweeney to the First Baptist Church, 3701 Suhre Street, Lake Isabella, California 93240.

DOUGHTY-CALHOUN-O'MEARA FUNERAL DIRECTORS

www.bakersfield.com/obits

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Published by Bakersfield Californian on Aug. 7, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for David Sweeney

Sponsored by Doughty Calhoun O'Meara Funeral Home - Bakersfield Doughty Calhoun O'Meara.

20 Entries

David Paige

November 24, 2023

I met David when he was 6 years old. I was 5. We lived 3 blocks apart on Oregon St. in Bakersfield, Ca. Not long after we met we became best friends all through school. We went bicycling, fishing, hunting, swimming, camping, motorcycling, just everything together.
Years later, after moving away from each other, we discovered that we both joined the Army National Guard, both went to Fort Ord in Monterey. CA. We were both in an infantry light weapons platoon. We both raced motorcycles in the Mojave Desert, both entered the Barstow to Vegas Race, and finished. We both had jeeps and were in 4X4 clubs. We both rode street bikes and traveled on these bikes throughout the western states. We both had ski boats and skiied on many of the same lakes. We both had Ford 3/4 ton trucks pulling our boats. And, we both lived in the mountains. We had no idea that our lives were so parallel to each other. Did I love this guy? Oh yeah, and will miss him forever.
R.I.P. my all time best friend.
Dave Paige
Oh, by the way, we both dated a Diane in high school.

Lee (Paige) Vitale

November 22, 2023

David was so much a part of our family in Bakersfield. My brother, Dave, & I practically grew up with him. He was so funny and outgoing! What a terrible loss to all who knew and loved him.

Lee (Paige) Vitale

November 21, 2023

My brother, David, and I spent many days with David. We played together in the neighborhood and he accompanied us on many out of town trips for hiking and fishing. He was part of the family. What a loss!!!!

Caryl Delcid ( Mays)

June 18, 2023

My grandmother lived across the street from
David's family

David C. Paige

February 14, 2023

I met David when I was 5 and he was 6. We both lived on Oregon St. In Bakersfield. We did everything together. We were best friends all through Longfellow Elementry, Washington Jr. High and at East Bakersfield High. Upon graduation, I went to L.A. area and eventually to Ventura County. I joined the Glendale National Guard, not knowing David joined the Bakersfield National Guard. We both ended up at Fort Ord for our training...not knowing we were both there at the same time. After our training, I went into law enforcement and moved to Ventura County. David moved to Kernville area. Years went by before we reconnected and discovered at a 45 year Class Reunion, how parallel our lives had been. We both loved the high country. We both had ski boats and Ford 4x4 F250's. Both had campers. Had both raced dirt bikes in District 37. Had both raced the famous Barstow to Vegas race. We both rode on road motorcycles. We both had jeeps and drove them off road all over the Sierra's as well as the Rockies. We even both dated Diane's in high school. After the 45th reunion, I stayed in touch with David. I stopped hearing from him several months ago, so checked on him finding out he had passed. He was the best growing up friend I ever had. I would think of David off and on throughout my entire life. Remembering all the things we did together. He always seemed to be in such great condition, I just could not imagine him passing at 77. I knew all of his family as well as my own. Now, they too, are all gone. How sad. Will always love this guy. R.I.P.MY VERY LONG TIME FRIEND.
DAVID PAIGE

Barry Harrison

September 2, 2022

Barry Harrison

September 2, 2022

Barry Harrison

September 2, 2022

I cannot put the words together to explain the loss to all of us that new Myrna and David but I do know I will cherish the memories I have of my friends (Hero) and I know we shall always keep them in our thoughts . They are both missed .

Heather Spangler

August 31, 2022

Heather Spangler

August 31, 2022

Heather Spangler

August 31, 2022

David and my dad (Mike Spangler) were best friends since High School. We grew up with he, Myrna and Natalie. I so loved what a kind and humble man he was and what a great friend he was to my dad and our family all of these years. I hope he, Myrna and my dad are all up in heaven having a grand old time together. So sorry for the loss however to the family, especially Natalie and the boys. Sending big hugs to you all.

Teddy Brown Harrison

August 20, 2022

I remember David from EB where his sister Judy & I were close friends. For almost 3 years I had not known her; Judy & I became laughter buddies in the swim class part of physical education junior year. We had it second period when the water in Jefferson pool was cold & there was no way to warm up after a session that involved a hairstyle-soaking & a rather long bus ride from Jefferson Park to the girls' gym at school.
This torturous swimming experience created a foundation for the best laughter times between Judy & me, starting as soon as we got out of the pool, drenched & freezing, lasted for the entire ride down Flower Street, & followed into the showers for another near-drowning.
All this wonderful hilarity lasted only a short time because summer vacation was fast approaching. We would say good-by & go to different classes & then to a summer apart. But I could hardly wait to see her again in September in hope of developing that brief period of brilliant, fun & funny friendship over senior year. I had a new friend.
But on the first day of school I couldn't find her. I asked around. Where were you all summer? Judy died.
I thought immediately of her brother, David. Were they twins? Was he OK? I often had thought what a lucky guy he was growing up & then enjoying practical jokes & incredibly funny school stories. And now she was gone, & I hadn't known. I wanted to embrace him & share his grief & confusion, but I was a kid. I didn't do it.
Now it is too late for any of that. I embrace him in my heart & hope he had a wonderful life, that at the end he was comforted by people who shared all his lifetime losses with him & were unafraid to assure him that he was loved.

Pat Clark

August 11, 2022

Dave and Myrna were the best of people. They were always looking out for others and putting smiles on people´s faces. Both will be missed by many. They are together again.

Scott Atchison

August 9, 2022

Scott Atchison

August 9, 2022

Scott Atchison

August 9, 2022

Dave is like an uncle to me! Always looked up to him and tried to live my life like him. Going to miss him everyday!

Jordan

August 8, 2022

Nat, im so sorry about Dave, He was like a 2nd dad to me. My prayers are out to all of you!! Mr. Sween will be greatly missed!!!

Rhonda Hughes

August 8, 2022

I am so sorry for your lose Natalie. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Richard and I had a lot of great times with your mom and dad. They are both sorely missed.

Hal Stewart

August 7, 2022

Natalie I was friends with your dad in Jr High and High School. If you would send me your email address I will send you photos I have as I come across them. [email protected] The photo is from 1970. We´re sorry to hear about his passing.

Gary D. Sheetz Wofford Ranch

August 7, 2022

To Natalie and his family I offer my sympathy Dave was such a nice person, he will always be missed you are un my thoughts and prayers.

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